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Catalan Institute of Palaeontology Miquel Crusafont

Pau, Pierolapithecus catalaunicus

In 2002, a fragment of a primate skull was found at the tip at Can Mata (Hostalets de Pierola). It does not belong to any known species. Later, 82 more skeleton fragments of this new primate were found, dating back 12 million years, with the scientific name Pierolapithecus catalaunicus. However, he is popularly known as "Pau" (the Catalan word meaning “Peace”) because the Iraqi war was happening at that time.

The skeleton, studied by the Palaeoprimatology and Human Palaeontology research group, is vital to understanding the origin of the hominid family and is a key link in understanding the evolution of our lineage.